Why Meghan Markle Will Not Have a Maid of Honor at Her Wedding

Happy Friday from Kensington Palace, which just shared a bunch of new details about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's May 19 wedding. Among them: Meghan Markle will not have a maid of honor, Harry and Markle will not immediately go on a honeymoon, Markle's dad (who hasn't met Prince Harry yet) will walk her down the aisle, and more.

Royal reporters got the scoop about why Markle won't have a maid of honor. Despite speculation that her friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney was a favorite for the role, Markle "has a very close knit group of friends and did not want to choose one over the other," a palace aide told reporters during the briefing. "They have all been actively involved in helping her prepare for the day.” There will be flower girls and page boys, though.

Meghan will NOT have a Maid of Honour. Says a Palace aide, “She has a very close knit group of friends and did not want to choose one over the other. They have all been actively involved in helping her prepare for the day.”But do expect Page Boys and Flower Girls!

The Palace detailed the rest in their statement from the press secretary, here below:

The first thing I would like to share is that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to welcoming Ms. Markle's parents to Windsor for the wedding. Mr. Thomas Markle and Ms. Doria Ragland will be arriving in the UK in the week of the wedding, allowing time for Prince Harry's family, including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to spend time with them before the big day.

Both of the bride's parents will have important roles in the wedding. On the morning of the wedding, Ms. Ragland will travel with Ms. Markle by car to Windsor Castle. Mr. Markle will walk his daughter down the aisle of St George's Chapel. Ms. Markle is delighted to have her parents by her side on this important and happy occasion.

In addition to having the support of The Queen, his father The Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince William as Best Man, Prince Harry is also keen to involve his mother's family in his wedding. All three siblings of Diana, Princess of Wales will be in attendance and Lady Jane Fellowes will give the reading. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle both feel honored that Lady Jane will be representing her family and helping to celebrate the memory of the late Princess on the wedding day.

As we said back in November, this wedding will be guided by tradition, allowing everyone to celebrate what makes Royal Weddings so special, but also one which reflects the personalities of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle. We have been announcing details over the last couple of months and in the final week ahead of the wedding you can expect to hear more about the arrangements, including The Instrument of Consent; Details of the Bridesmaids and Page Boys; The work of florist Philippa Craddock and the Crown Estate gardeners who have been growing and preparing the flowers that will fill the church; An update from Claire Ptak, the baker who will make the wedding cake, and the chefs who have been working in the Palace kitchens to make the final preparations and;We will publish the full Order of Service on the website on Saturday morning so members of the public can follow the service at home.

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